Tag: greeting cards

Thank You Cards: An Art To Be Encouraged

Why is it that the art of saying thank you seems to be in short supply? I was taught that if someone does something nice for you or gives you a present, you should say thank you. The best way was to write a note to the person with your sincere thoughts of thanks. Today it is easier, there are so many thank you cards available with a great variety of thank you sayings.

Thank you is such a basic part of my life and I find it sad to see that it is becoming less and less personal. Sending a text is okay but it can never replace the art or writing. When you take the time to choose a card, then write a note and address the envelope, you are showing that you were touched enough by that person to spend time selecting just the right card and saying.

Proper etiquette says that you should send a thank you within a month of receiving a gift or even having been invited to attend a dinner party. We should always remember that we are supposed to be practicing an elevated sense of propriety. Let me assure you if I am invited to your house, I will follow up my visit with a thank you card for the lovely evening spent with you.

Social Media Versus Greeting Cards

The world that we live in today consists of Facebook, Twitter, Texts, Emails and impersonal relationships. We are so consumed with our lives and how quick we can get to the next thing. In my opinion, it is alright to keep in touch with people that are not currently in our everyday life, but close family and friends deserve for us to slow down and become more human.

Take a moment to remember how it felt to receive a greeting card in the mail and appreciate the time someone took to sit down and write you a message. We need to keep relationships that are close to us, closer. Just know when it’s the appropriate time to text, email or simply send a greeting card.

I understand technology makes a lot of communication more available. We also now have the ability to create beautiful pictures on cards at the push of a button. Getting married? Send those invitations through the mail, not an online post. Wishing your mom a happy birthday should not be sent electronically. Think to yourself before you send that impersonal email. Can I take a moment to send a personal card instead?

Resources to Help Your Business

When you own your own business, it is important to use all the resources available to you to help increase and maintain your clientele.

Presentation Folders are a great way to do that. You can imprint your logo on the front and add other information in up to 3 other locations. Customizable Folders are helpful when putting together proposals or just giving out basic information about your company. People will remember the thoughtfulness and organization a folder provides. You can also get up to two business card slots on the inside of your presentation folder.

Speaking of business cards, these are another great tool to get your name out there and to have your name remembered. When talking to someone, it is always great if they have a take away even if it is just a business card. I have so much trouble remembering names so I find it extremely helpful when I walk away from a conversation with a business card.

Another great resource to help your business is greeting cards. Sending your employees and customers greeting cards to celebrate milestones such as birthdays and anniversary will make you stand out above the rest. I also think the idea of sending calendar cards at the end of every year is a great way to keep your name posted at your clients’ desk.

Be sure to use all the resources available to you to help your business prosper.

Tips For Appropriately Closing a Business Greeting Card

When it comes to greeting cards, the most challenging part has already been done for you. The greeting and illustration is complete, now all you need to do is sign the greeting card. This is where it gets tricky because this sends a message to the receiver of how you feel personally.

Its always challenging trying to figure out how to close a greeting card. You think of all the possible salutations you can choose and still you can’t decide which is best. Is it too casual or too personal or if it just doesn’t fit what the body of the letter gives off.

Since it’s a business greeting card, this is where it gets confusing. Your sending this to people you rarely see or interact with on daily basis. So what can you say? Keep it professional at all times but not too stiff like “Sincerely” might too formal.

I think “best wishes” is perfect and “all the best” works good also. Both are equally acceptable. If it’s a client you plan on speaking to soon, you could always go with “speak with you soon.” You could also use “looking forward” as an ending. Another way, is to end it with the type of card it is like “Merry Christmas!” or “Happy Thanksgiving.” There are really so many options.

Should I Send a Get Well or Thinking of You Card?

I think the rule of thumb when deciding to send a Get Well Card or Thinking of You Card is the level of illness of the recipient. So, if the patient is sure to recover I would send a Get Well Card followed up with a Thinking of You card later. If the patient is terminal, sending a Get Well Card is thoughtless and cruel so I would send a Thinking of You Card.

Let’s say you don’t know the degree of the patient’s condition but you want to send a card to let them know you care and you want to boost their spirits. Sending a Thinking of You Card or a Get Well Cards with subtle message like “Wishing you the Best” are options. Also, if the card has a preprinted greeting-read it!-if the sentiment offers prayers during a difficult time and the patient has a broken finger, may be overkill.

It is difficult to know the right words to write in a Get Well or Thinking of You card, here are some suggestions:

  • I am so sorry to hear you’ve been ill.
  • I’m wishing you the very best during your recovery
  • I hope you’re doing well and are on the road to recovery.
  • And my favorite, You are in my thoughts/prayers.

What not to do is also important as:

  • Don’t compare illnesses – not a great idea
  • Do not tell stories you heard about the hospital, doctor or your Aunt Jane who had sort of the same thing…

Showing someone compassion is a virtue which should be admired.

Millennials and Greeting Cards on the Rise

Millennials, also known as Generation Y or Gen Y, are the demographic cohort following Generation X and preceding Generation Z. Researchers and popular media typically use the early 1980s as starting birth years and the mid-1990s to early 2000s as ending birth years.

Millennials are choosing to buy more paper greeting cards over social media and texts. They have learned to appreciate a more personal connection and creative side. Greeting cards today offer digital wizardry if you can’t draw a stick figure and give you the opportunity to choose from pre-made templates and add digital photos.

It’s an old fashioned callback to a more intimate experience. Standing in the drugstore and choosing that particular wording that expresses how you feel. Pops of color and even pop-ups jump from the card to give you a big hug. It’s a keepsake, but it’s also an expression of whatever sentiment you’re trying to convey.

Why Successful Companies Send New Year Cards

Your customers & clients are the bread and butter of your company. Valued vendors create a backbone of support and reliability. Successful companies know the value in winding down a rewarding year – and paving the way for the next – by sending  quality New Year cards to everyone on their list.

New Year cards provide the opportunity to do 3 things; Thank your customers and vendors for the role they play in your business, Wish them a successful year ahead and, as an ‘end of the season’ gesture, you’ll also be leaving a fresh and lasting impression certain to translate into good will (and potential business) well into the new year.

A Happy New Year card acknowledges the on-going relationship – one of mutual benefit and shared success into the New Year and beyond. Sending a premium New Year card like those available at The Gallery Collection speaks volumes about how you see – and value – that relationship. It will be appreciated and remembered.

Choose from a wide variety of designs to fit the tone you want to present, from the classic look of Sparkling New Year to ‘New Years Eve’ bright and bold Prism . Celebrate with New Year Fireworks or toast the old and new with a little Bubbly.

Let the style suit your business and your taste but be sure you do take the time to send an end of the year reminder – and thank you – to your valued connections. It’s a gesture sure to have ongoing rewards.

Sending Holiday Cards to Those Who Have Recently Lost a Loved One

Whether you flip on the television and view countless holiday commercials, tune in to some Christmas carols on the radio, or attend a holiday party, the same message is constant.  People are selling, singing, or talking about positive, happy things during the holidays.  This is often very welcome, but it can actually be quite challenging to those who have recently lost a loved one.  The sadness and loss are painfully magnified in the light of others perceived utopian holiday festivities.  It can become a dreaded time of renewed or increased mourning.  If you know someone in such a situation, they might still very much appreciate a holiday card, but the greeting card must have the right tenor to achieve a positive effect.  The card must not be too positive in tone while concurrently not become a sympathy card either.  Writing a holiday card for such an audience is somewhat challenging, but when done correctly, can positively impact its recipient.  The following may be helpful when crafting your holiday card.

Don’t Ignore the Situation – As a friend or family member, you are aware of the struggle at this time of year.  It’s okay and actually welcome to acknowledge this fact in an easy, indirect way.  It lets your recipient know that you care about their situation without bringing them to the point of dragging up negative emotions.

Send Realistic Good Wishes for the Holidays – Aside from briefly acknowledging that your recipient might be having a difficult time, the rest of your card should be sensibly positive.  By sensibly positive, I mean your kind wishes should be things that are actually attainable this year.  It might not be prudent to say something like “I hope you have a happy, wonderful holiday season” because that likely will not happen this year.  Instead, wishes such as “I am looking forward to seeing you at Joe’s party on the 22nd” or “Hope Edna sends us some of her delicious fruitcake again this year” are achievable aspirations or goals that can potentially bring a smile to your recipient’s face.

How To Select Christmas Cards That Represent Your Business

We all want to show appreciation to our clients or customers during the holidays. A great and very affective way to do so is sending Christmas cards. Although you can get a positive response from sending holiday cards, you can also get a negative response if you send the wrong greeting cards. You as a business want cards and only cards that represent you in a good way. Here’s a few tips on how it is done.

I recommend sending greeting cards of high quality. Something with class that says we appreciate your business with us this year and want to show our appreciation. I mean cards at your local pharmacy are cheaper but yet flimsy and there’s not a lot of attention to detail going into designing them. I recommend something with good paper that feels strong and sturdy in your customer’s hand and is decorated beautifully. Also I’m just one who believes if your sending something like a greeting card or gift to a client it should be a representation of your company and what you stand for. Try The Gallery Collection’s many choices to choose from.

Don’t for one second think its a bright idea to play practical jokes or test your client’s sense of humor when sending your cards. I mean tis the season to be jolly is true and most of us are in good spirits this time of year, but you still should make sure your company’s reputation is priority. I suggest you only send cards that are tasteful and straight to the point. Please avoid anything that is not appropriate for all ages.

Lastly but certainly not least be aware of your clients religious beliefs. As we all know everyone doesn’t celebrate Christmas so we don’t want to offend anyone. I recommend being mindful of where your cards are being sent and what your sending. Try purchasing a variety box with all the holidays in it for this time of year. Also avoid writing Merry Christmas in all of them as your greeting. Try writing something more generic like Season’s Greetings or Happy Holidays. This is also a category somewhere like The Gallery Collection will come be of great assistance.

So in conclusion when selecting Christmas cards this year keep these steps in mind. High quality, tasteful, nothing inappropriate, and again last but not least be aware of your clients beliefs. Follow these tips and you’ll be a ok. Enjoy your holiday season!

CHOOSING AMAZING HOLIDAY CARDS WITH A “WOW” FACTOR

Last year when we first started shopping for a holiday card, it was a little overwhelming with all the choices.  At the same time, it was really enjoyable because there were so many beautiful cards to look at.  The Elegant Holiday Surprise card was the one that stood out for me, but I was unsure I wanted to send a black card.  After thinking about it for a few days, a memory came to me of seeing my grandmother’s album from the early 1900’s, containing black holiday cards handwritten in silver.  I realized that styles do return!  This helped me to be brave and go for it!  We ordered the Christmas card which included our personalization imprinted inside the card and I also used a gold gel pen to write personal messages. 

When our recipients received the Christmas cards, the response was amazing!  One person said, “Wow, it’s the most stunning card I’ve ever seen!”   Another said, “Wow, gorgeous card!  Where did you get it?”  Several times during the year, people commented how thoughtful our card was!   We obviously made a lasting impression!

For me, the most unexpected wow factor is that the cards and envelopes are thoughtfully made from recycled materials!  This year we are excited to shop for holiday cards! We anticipate that they will once again be enjoyed, remembered, and saved!